Korean electronics giant Samsung has started manufacturing laptops in India at its Greater Noida factory. This move expands the company’s local production portfolio beyond smartphones, wearables, and tablets. The factory, which is Samsung’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturing unit globally, now includes laptops in its production lineup. This step is a direct result of the Indian government’s push to promote domestic electronics manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung begins laptop production at its existing Greater Noida facility.
- The company is expanding its “Make in India” efforts, which previously focused on mobile phones and other devices.
- This move aligns with the Indian government’s policies to boost local electronics manufacturing.
- The production of laptops locally could help reduce import costs and make devices more affordable for Indian consumers.
Samsung’s Growing Presence in India
Samsung has a long history of manufacturing in India, with its first facility established in Greater Noida in 1996. The company has since expanded its operations significantly. The Greater Noida factory is a key part of Samsung’s global production network. It produces a wide range of devices for both the Indian market and for export. Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the development, noting that Samsung continues to expand its manufacturing of technology devices in Bharat, driven by local talent and innovation.
The decision to start making laptops in India comes after a push from the government to encourage domestic hardware production. Earlier, in August 2023, the government briefly restricted laptop imports before putting in place a system to monitor them. This policy was part of a larger strategy to promote local production under the “Make in India” initiative. While many brands like HP, Dell, and Acer have used the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware, Samsung has chosen to increase its manufacturing on its own.
Market and Consumer Impact
Samsung is already a major player in the Indian electronics market. According to Counterpoint Research, it is the second-largest smartphone company in India by both volume and value. The company also holds a strong position in the tablet market. While Samsung’s market share in the laptop segment is still small, local manufacturing may help it compete better with other brands. Producing laptops locally can reduce import duties, which may help lower the final cost for customers.
The company’s new production line will focus on its Galaxy Book series. The current lineup includes the Galaxy Book4, Galaxy Book4 360, Galaxy Book4 Pro, and Galaxy Book4 Pro 360, among others. These laptops feature Intel Core Ultra processors and come with a range of specs suited for different users. As Samsung produces these devices in India, it will be better positioned to meet local demand and offer more competitive pricing.
This move marks a positive step for India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem. It shows that large international companies see India as a viable hub for advanced hardware production. This could create new jobs and help build a stronger local supply chain for electronic components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the “Make in India” initiative?
A1: “Make in India” is a government program to encourage companies to manufacture their products in India. The goal is to create jobs, boost the economy, and make the country a global manufacturing hub.
Q2. What Samsung products are made in India?
A2: Samsung currently makes a variety of products in India, including feature phones, smartphones, tablets, wearables, and now laptops. The Greater Noida factory is a primary manufacturing base for these devices.
Q3. Will Made-in-India Samsung laptops be cheaper?
A3: Local manufacturing can reduce the final cost of products by cutting import duties and other related expenses. While the final pricing depends on various factors, it is possible that locally made Samsung laptops will be more competitively priced.
Q4. Where is Samsung’s laptop factory in India?
A4: Samsung is making laptops at its existing factory in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, which is also the company’s largest mobile phone factory outside of South Korea.
